(not really addressed to Explorers at all, so not interested in their answers)

While we all know the normal Type A does not do well with certain things, like stress, or any form of intense and very little of moderate exercise. However in the world we live in, does this line up for all the Type As?

We all have very different personalities, even if a lot of them do frequent certain GenoTypes.

Do any of you feel competitive? Maybe even feed on it? What do you value, and what if what you value is in the physical world? How do you feel about the limitations of how your body responds to stressful things? Limitations of physical ability?

Our paradigms of what is of value, as culture shifts and ages, changes all the time. One Type A in the 1920's may of seen art as the only thing of value, but these days one may see the physical world as the only thing of value. What if a Type A's values involve adventure; maybe they want to try being a pilot, or doing something really out for a job. What if they want to climb Mt. Everest?

I suspect for most Type A, it is intuitive to seek the calmness of easy going but... Young people these days I find Type A's interested in adventure, and Type O's interested in calm life, art etc. It is very strange though because Type O people are consistently successfully involved in things like the world of art. Yet there isn't anything to stop them from doing a Triathlon either. Now a Type A just doesn't really have the choice to jump into the physical world with intent of bettering themselves. Do any of you Type A's feel bothered by this limitation? What if you never knew about the BTD/GTD/SWAMI and ate and acted like a Type A, but under the premise that you knew you could endeavor into the world of high demand. What you did was fine, because you are just human like anyone else and can do whatever you want?

Does anyone see the facet of being anything you want to be, not being true as a strange humility of being human, but then very fascinating that not everyone exhibits this limitation?

I think perhaps that this is a more complicated issues for Feelers as opposed to Thinkers, within the Meyer Briggs personality type. As far as Type O's go it seems many may not be inclined toward art, but there is no physical barrier for them.

DoS:I have a thought about this.I had to read your post a couple of times to hone your question, and my answer is still a little...loose, but it has to do with age, time.

I am over twice your age, and I've known many As in my lifetime, young and old.The As I've known who've felt that Call to Adventure have been young and energetic, not knowing that, along the way, they would be tempered and shaped by experience, obstacles, etc. That's just a function of youth.

I'm thinking of an A who was very, very active in sports when young. A high achiever, Team Captain, the works. Competitive, ambitious. But he never had the qualifications to be a professional, so he transferred that energy to more of a business orientation in early adulthood. In midlife, the stress of the TYPE of business set-up he was in, was too much for him, for his health. He'd been in business for himself all his life, and the pressure (note: He didn't recognize that pressure until it was gone and he was doing something else!) was harming him. By this time, you see, his health was much, much weaker.

When he changed careers, put all his expertise and experience to work for someone else (i.e., began to work for a large corporation rather than for himself), he really de-stressed! So, it wasn't until this change took place (when he was in his late 40s) that he found the healthier compromise of his desire to play in the big leagues and his need to share more of the burden, to be less accountable for the entire operation.

How is this relevant to you and your question re: Physicality?When one is in one's 20s, one doesn't have quite the sense of Time, of the whole fabric of one's life: One sees the visible side, and not really all the threads and knots and weave that is visible from behind; this latter view is what becomes manifest as we age.I think knowing one's blood type can actually guide the younger adult in the planning of a career-type in that way. The young athlete with interpersonal skills can become a manager/coach/trainer instead of a young professional star athlete. Some might go into sports management/recruitment --- stay "in the game" by somehow serving the professional athletic community --- Really gifted former/wannabe athletes are needed in such positions, and these can be very, very rewarding -- not to mention fun, if you just love to be around the game, the parks, the energy.

Short answer to your question: Creating an innovative, interesting "auxiliary" career in Sports is a great channel for the young A athlete who believes his days on the field are numbered or over. It's probably a good idea to cultivate the team spirit and to work in a group that shares business accountability, too, because a really successful career brings lots of headaches, too - taxes, paperwork, employees, etc, and these can be hard for some As to manage alone.

D'Adamo proponent since 1997dadamo Blogger and Forum participant since 2005

The example with the business person. What if they idea of working for someone else is more stressful than the stress of being on your own? It might be uncommon for Type A's to work that way, but not unheard of...

Also I do see what you mean as a coach etc for Type A's, however you are giving them the idea that they were ever an athlete, which just isn't really going to be true. There are not any teachers or warriors in the olympics, per say. Plus as people age they often engage in different sports. While a Type A who liked soccer may be able to coach it, that has no relevance to participation in say picking up running (endurance goes up with age). People have different personalities, and for some either you are doing it or you are not interested. It doesn't mean you are a star athlete per say, but there is a huge difference between doing what you want and being physically limited from working at it. Not every Type O blood is going to be an olympian, but they all can progress and work at refining themselves for the better in the physical world as well as the intellectual world. The limitation just is not there even if the challenge is extreme for some. Type A's are not extremely challenged with doing stressful things, they are limited by it. Their bodies actually stop working correctly no matter how much they fight the stress.

There really is a difference of love of doing, and love of a sport. For a competitive person or someone with a thirst for adventure, they don't want to be person that sells adventure equipment, they want to end up on top of a mountain or something. They want to be there, be present, for whatever it is they are interested in.

I imagine people having counter-intuitive personalities, values, etc, is much more common now than in history. The reason would be poor genetic expression and quality from the poor food and abuse newer generations are living under the thumb of like very few before have. A comparable thing might be something like being born one sex but knowing your whole life you should of been the other sex because that is how you think, entirely.

sanj how would you feel if you found out answers were "not possible" for things you have, did, or want to pursue. What about just knowing that the world is open or closed for what you would like to do? Again to a Thinker this is illogical because they would explain about how they don't feel good etc etc, but to a Feeler it doesn't work like that because what feeds them mentally doesn't have to be involved with any sort of logic.

I don't see how this is entirely a type A thing. I'm type O, but with health challenges that give me limited endurance, limited ability to work out, etc. Often, my O-ness "needs" hard, sweaty exercise to feel calm again, but my body isn't strong enough for anything beyond gentle walking or tai chi. So I stay edgy and stressed out, because there's no way for me to release those stress hormones.

I don't see how being a type A is a "limitation". Everybody needs to pace themselves. Type A's just need to mix up the exercise routines to include yoga and meditation in the mix.

The example with the business person. What if they idea of working for someone else is more stressful than the stress of being on your own? It might be uncommon for Type A's to work that way, but not unheard of...

Okay. So do it that way. And be flexible.

Quoted from DoS

Also I do see what you mean as a coach etc for Type A's, however you are giving them the idea that they were ever an athlete, which just isn't really going to be true.

This is kind of an excuse. There is nothing like a person with a teaching gift, in any field. That is their profession, much appreciated and highly remunerated by those who must go out on the field and play. A great trainer is an amazing asset to a player, a team. And that trainer need never have been a professional athlete.FYI this is very common in the performing arts. Not every fantastic vocal coach or acting coach, etc., had a major professional career or a name recognized by the general public. But many really fine performers would never have achieved excellence without their coaches' talented efforts and guidance.

Another really interesting field is rehabilitation and physical therapy. Wow: The equipment, the technology, the art and science involved today is incredible. My sports doctor here in San Francisco has an amazing operation, thousands and thousands of square feet dedicated to keeping the SF Ballet in top form, the SF Forty-Niners playing, etc. etc. And the therapists who work there are at the top of their game.But that's enough from me, DoS.This question has come up from you before, and this sort of answer hasn't appealed to you then, either, so I'll bow out. Good luck!

D'Adamo proponent since 1997dadamo Blogger and Forum participant since 2005

My youngest son has a friend who is 24, type A (I have discussed Er4YT with him), is finishing nursing school and does MMA, fighting locally and in Las Vegas. He is working out in my sons gym when he is not at school. I wouldn't think of telling him he can't live this way! Interestingly, he sort of ate like an A before we talked about the diet. He is bright and interested in optimum nutrition so now is trying to cut out wheat.

In high school, if girls wanted to participate in sports they joined GAA/ girls athletic assoc. It meant last period Phys ed, which everyone wanted, but you had to try out. This is when I found out that I was competitive in more than spelling bees or getting the highest grade on history exams. I was determined to "make the team" which also meant traveling on our own free time to other schools for competitions.Well, I valued my social time/life, alot, so I realized that "physicality" was important, too. I practice yoga, and appreciate the calmness it brings me, but I absolutely need my dance/gym/walking exercise to thrive!

Ao ISFJ Taster Rh+

"God gave us the gift of life. It is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well." Voltaire"Whisper words of wisdom. Let it be." Sir Paul McCartney

It would be interesting to know the ratio of type I: type II muscle fibers in 'A's.

I'm competitive with myself, if someone else is doing well then great, how am I doing compared to how I was doing last year? Am I working to my potential? am I taking enough time off for me so I do not feel too stressed?

I've never been interested in vast amounts of money. Money is good and unfortunately necessary, but all I need is enough to pay the bills, have a savings, and spoil the grandkids. Someday that is where I hope to be. Anything above and beyond that will go to charity, there are so many causes I would like to support!

“Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.”

DoS, I used to wrestle with the same questions.I'm a type A Teacher and for a while was physically very active, doing dance on a fairly high level, taking long hiking trips with backpacks in cold conditions, generally trying to find the limits of my body.These limits were there, but due to other factors in my life, I just didn't really see them.

When life-threatening disease hit me at a young age ( 28 ) I had to change many of my habits and foremost among them were nutritional habits and excercise.I had to learn to listen to my body in a way I never had before and I didn't always like what I heard.

I focus on "bettering" myself in the physical world through yoga now, but part of me still wants to push my body harder, further, just for the thrill of it. Even though I know it's ultimately even more stressful for my system.

In my case I've learned that my body is capable of being pushed very, very far and live, but it comes with a price. And it's more of a mental, logical choice for me than an intuitive one to treat my body gently in excercise.

not at all ...and another *assumption*this is the same when telling me that I''m a low acylator and in contrary it was proven..by DNA-tests.... next: explorers have an opportunistic world view... also a presumption ..coz it's merey all about *ambivlaence* and makes us very hard for descisions.... and I I'd make sports as describen (I tried it in youth) I'd be quickly in true danger coz of massive inflammations..... .....

I see also here all is about pre-and assumptions... none of us is the same... and evenwhile getting a so called *diagnose* of being this or that... it can be also the complete opposite... so far..... trau schau wem and take care and stay healthy!!!

I do have A patients- mostly warriors with an incredible stamina and endurance of willpower and work... but then too exhausted to go for any sports but then I do have O'clients who are nothing but too lazy...prefering popping a pill(almost tranquilizers ) instead of the beneficials of moving........first we need the agreement of the patients... if not nothing will change and then look what's about his/her psychepatterns.... you need to speak the same language..... not always easy.....but let them always their own choices....

Stress is my middle name--- From the smallest thing to the largest-- I turn it over in my head over and over-- did I say the right thing? did I do the right thing?

I have yoga but more important for me is my husband an O he is calm and keeps me focused on what is important. I could not maneuver this world without him.

My O son is endowed with this same quality.

I have never been athletic can't run, and am very inflexible.Yoga has taught me to keep my eyes on my own mat, and not focus on what the world thinks I should be. Nor should the mongraphs of the BT keep you from your dreams.

DOS you are wonderful and will find your place.

MIFHI

"Do not try to satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many things. Awaken people's curiosity. It is enough to open minds; do not overload them." Anatole France

"Healthy people have the least overt symptoms from eating avoid foods." Dr. D'Adamo

All good questions. I've always had a thirst for adventure myself but I turn to books, daydreams and writing to satiate it. I've always found that the physical world just pales in comparison to my imagination. I prefer my mental environment to the physical one.

My Type A (warrior) older sister is completely opposite from that. She wants to go out all the time and follow every opportunity possible that the physical world presents her with. I think that's fine so long as you learn to pace yourself...which she has not yet. She spreads herself way too thin, has suffered for it, knows it yet does it anyway. It's unwise.

I think as an A, it's important to find a calm hobby you love in order to stave off the hunger for the physical. I think people don't try to look for those things though so they don't know what they are missing, how much they would enjoy a more mental activity once they find one they like. And perhaps when an O feels lazy they need to find something in the external world to satisfy them as well. It's all about balance and experimentation in my opinion. Everyone needs a bit of both and we all need to learn how to value both.

My limitations only frustrate me when I'm being prideful. I'd rather do what I was meant to do than what I think I'm meant to do. The former has always made me happier anyway. What I want can always change. It just requires a changing of the mind which really isn't so hard once pride is knocked out of the way.

Has the BTD/SWAMi made me more physically flexible? or emotionally flexible?

Yes I think it has done both. I have found that the little things Dr. D says--- make a lot of sense and help me focus on what is important. I do not think that is his intent and I don't think he would ever see himself like that. Through the BTD I have learned who I am and who I want to be.

I am not sure if I have run off on a tangent but--- somehow knowing about myself through the BTD is very comforting for me, I do not fight who I am but embrace it.

DOS have you ever been in love? It makes you more flexible emotionally. Relationships are one of the things in life that help us grow. ( good read is Passionate Marriage not just for married couples)

Maybe it is an age thing. I wish I knew at your age what I know now about food and exercise for myself.

My choices would have been very different.

MIFHI

"Do not try to satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many things. Awaken people's curiosity. It is enough to open minds; do not overload them." Anatole France

"Healthy people have the least overt symptoms from eating avoid foods." Dr. D'Adamo

In love? Yeah it happens. Sometimes it is more intense than other times. None of them have been in love with me though... kind of the opposite of building myself emotionally. Falling in love has only managed to break me down repeatedly.

In love? Yeah it happens. Sometimes it is more intense than other times. None of them have been in love with me though... kind of the opposite of building myself emotionally. Falling in love has only managed to break me down repeatedly.

MIFHI

"Do not try to satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many things. Awaken people's curiosity. It is enough to open minds; do not overload them." Anatole France

"Healthy people have the least overt symptoms from eating avoid foods." Dr. D'Adamo

All good questions. I've always had a thirst for adventure myself but I turn to books, daydreams and writing to satiate it. I've always found that the physical world just pales in comparison to my imagination. I prefer my mental environment to the physical one.

Does that make you feel drawn toward the surreal? I have a Type A friend who is much healthier than I am, but loves alcohol and drugs. He is very drawn to the surreal. It is incredible how he can just down alcohol and be fine all the time. I can't drink beer anymore unless you want to see me paranoid, cry, etc.

Does that make you feel drawn toward the surreal? I have a Type A friend who is much healthier than I am, but loves alcohol and drugs. He is very drawn to the surreal. It is incredible how he can just down alcohol and be fine all the time. I can't drink beer anymore unless you want to see me paranoid, cry, etc.

Are you asking if I am drawn to drinking and drugs for the surreal effect they invoke? I don't like anything that messes with my brain so no, I don't do drugs or drink. My imagination keeps me stimulated.

Are you asking if I am drawn to drinking and drugs for the surreal effect they invoke? I don't like anything that messes with my brain so no, I don't do drugs or drink. My imagination keeps me stimulated.

For my friend it is sort of like an anxiety thing. He isn't human though. He can be blackout drunk and fine the next day. If he's hungover he means he is a little tired.

I've known O's who can down astounding amounts of alcohol and "hold it well" -- they had lifetime lifestyles with it and could tolerate truly amazing volumes.But I've known A's who can handle no more than a half-glass of wine before feeling drunk, and A's who, if they drink any alcohol, drop all their inhibitions; you know they've had too much if they start getting aggressive/mean - may even pull out the fisticuffs!

D'Adamo proponent since 1997dadamo Blogger and Forum participant since 2005

Ruth what happens if you do exercise harder? Some ideas on Fibro suggest needing proper dopamine levels and you won't have those without the exercise.

Results vary. Sometimes exercise makes me feel better. But if I push myself too hard, too fast, I can trigger a fibro-flare. If I keep going when my body is sore and I'm dizzy, I get very cranky and I hurt all over, and then I'm in too much pain to sleep. I've learned to respect my limits and STOP when I feel weak/sick, because I end up being very mean to my kids when I'm "pushed past my limits" and I've kept going when I should have stopped.

I need to be very, very careful when I increase my exercise. Done right and I heal. Done wrong and I hurt myself and it can take months to get back on track.